not available at this timeWhite Penstemon tubaeflorus Prairie Beardtongue
Seed
shipping chart at bottom of page

Penstemon
tubiflorus, showy white
bell-shaped flowers of white Tubed Beardtongue or prairie beard-tongue provide gentle
color to any naturalized
meadow or formal garden. White Prairie Beardtongue grows 24 to 40 inches high in average
well-drained soil in full sun and provides nectar for hummingbirds. White
Penstemon tubaeflorus is a nice addition to flower beds near a deck or moon
light gardens where the white flowers are visible in the dim light of late
evening. Prairie Beardtongue provides accent when planted with
Penstemon cobaea (Showy Beardtongue) and other native perennials.

White Prairie Beard tongue is a gentle flower
occurring naturally in dry prairies, rocky glades, and open woods from Nebraska
to Texas, east to Mississippi, Tennessee, Indiana, Wisconsin, and introduced
from Maine to Pennsylvania. Scrophulariaceae (Snapdragon
Family)

The map below shows areas where
native Penstemon tubiflorus wildflower grows wild. When
planted it
will grow over most of the Midwest and Eastern US. USDA plant hardiness
zones 3 to 9.

Penstemon tubiflorus
Tubed Beardtongue

Arkansas
Connecticut
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana

Maine
Massachusetts
Mississippi
Missouri
Nebraska
New Hampshire
New York
Ohio

Alternate Names
beardtongue
Uses
Grazing/rangeland: 'Cedar' and 'Bandera' are the only released penstemons noted
to have any forage value. 'Cedar' leaves stay green throughout the growing
season providing some forage value. All other varieties are considered fair to
poor palatability and considered to be only incidental forage value. All species
provide diversity to the seeded plant community.
Erosion control/reclamation: All species are mentioned for their value in mixes
for erosion control and beautification values.
Wildlife: Penstemons are considered desirable forages for deer, antelope and
birds either as herbage or seed. They may also provide some cover for selected
small bird species. They provide diversity to the plant community.
Status
Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural
Resources for this plantís current status (e.g. threatened or endangered
species, state noxious status, and wetland indicator values).
Description
Penstemons (Penstemon spp.) are perennial forbs, subshrubs to shrubs with
attractive flowers. Common to the western United States. Except for one minor
species, the genus Penstemon does not occur naturally outside of North America.
They are short to long-lived. Penstemons have opposite, entire or toothed
leaves. They have several stalked flowers or flower clusters that are borne in
the axils of the upper leaves or leaflike bracts. The tubular flower is strongly
to distinctly two-lipped at the mouth with a two-lobed upper lip and a
three-lobbed lower lip. There are 4 fertile stamens and a single sterile stamen
that is often hairy at the tip. The fruit is a many-seeded capsule.
Adaptation and Distribution
Penstemons do best on well-drained soils. Most ecotypes do well on infertile,
disturbed soils. They have excellent cold winter and drought tolerance. They
will tolerate weakly saline to weakly acidic sites. They are usually found in
open areas, but will tolerate semi-shaded conditions. They are somewhat
fire-resistant due to leaves staying green with relatively high moisture content
during the fire season.
Penstemon is distributed throughout the entire United States. For a current
distribution map, please consult the Plant Profile page for this species on the
PLANTS Website.
Establishment
These species should be seeded with a drill or broadcast at a depth of 1/4 inch
or less into a firm seedbed. Ideal seeding depth is 1/8 inch. Penstemons are not
recommended for single species seeding. The full seeding rate (not recommended)
for these forbs-shrubs is 1.5 to 3 pounds Pure Live Seed (PLS) per acre or 20 to
26 PLS per square foot (varies somewhat by species). When used as a component of
a mix, adjust to percent of mix desired. For mined
Dr. G Dallas and Margaret Hanna California Academy of Sciences
@CalFlora
lands and other harsh critical areas, doubling the seeding rate component of
penstemon is not required. The best seeding results are obtained from seeding in
very early spring (because of grass component of mix) on heavy to medium
textured soils and in late fall on medium to light textured soils. Late summer
(August - mid September) seeding is not recommended. Dormant fall seedings
(preferred seeding period for penstemons) will pre-chill seed and reduce seed
dormancy which is very strong in some species. Mulching, irrigation and weed
control all benefit stand establishment. Seedling vigor is good, but not as good
as most grasses. Germination may not occur until the second growing season.
Flowering should not be expected until at least the second growing season.
Management
Growth of penstemons begins in early spring and flowers appear in May through
July depending on species. Weed control and removal of very competitive species
may improve chance of establishment. Damage from wildlife and rodents may occur
and they may need to be controlled. Disease problems are minimal except under
irrigation. Under irrigation, fusarium wilt can be a problem.
Pests and Potential Problems
Stands may require weed control measures during establishment. Because
penstemons are broad-leaved, use of 2,4-D is not recommended. Mow weeds at or
prior to their bloom stage. New stands may also be damaged by grasshoppers and
other insects and pesticides may be needed.
Environmental Concerns
Penstemon species establish and spread slowly via seed distribution. They are
not considered "weedy" or invasive species, but can spread into adjoining
vegetative communities under ideal climatic and environmental conditions. They
coexist with other native species and add biodiversity to those plant
communities.
Cultivars, Improved, and Selected Materials (and area of origin)
Alpine penstemon (P. venustus Dougl ex. Lindl.) is a selected class release from
seed originally collected in
the Clearwater River drainage, Idaho; 'Bandera' (P. strictus Benth.) Rocky
Mountain penstemon was developed from seed originally collected in Torrance
County, New Mexico; 'Cedar' (P. palmeri Gray) Palmer penstemon was developed
from seed originally collected near Cedar City in Iron County, Utah; Firecracker
penstemon (P. eatonii Gray) is a selected release from seed originally collected
near Richfield, Utah.
A number of other penstemons are seeded primarily for soil stabilization on
depleted, disturbed and erosive areas for erosion control and as ornamentals.
These include low penstemon (P. humilis Nutt. ex Gray), Rydberg penstemon (P.
rydbergii A. Nels.), and thinleaf penstemon (P. pachyphyllus Gray ex Rydb.). No
releases have been made.